Elisabeth Schwarzkopf is universally acknowledged as one of the greatest singers of the 20th century. Blessed with a voice of exquisite beauty, as well as a striking physical presence, she shone brightly in opera, excelled in the concert hall, and brought a unique artistry to the recital platform. In addition to the tonal qualities of her voice, Schwarzkopf was renowned for her unrivalled communicative ability, which vocal critic John Steane described as "almost making the voice visible." Thus she could translate her charismatic stage presence into purely vocal terms through the medium of the recording. This rare quality is evident in all the recordings in this unique collection, which covers a lifetime of work and reveals the development of her art.